What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningParaffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetyl Caprylate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Triethanolamine
BufferingCetearyl Olivate
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMethylparaben
Preservative
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylparaben
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Isobutylparaben
Antimicrobial
Propylparaben
Preservative
Water, Paraffinum Liquidum, Triethylhexanoin, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Caprylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Parfum, Polysorbate 60, Stearic Acid, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, PEG-100 Stearate, Carbomer, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sorbitan Olivate, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Methylparaben, Lactobacillus Ferment, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Xanthan Gum, Butylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Propylparaben
Water
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentMethylparaben
Preservative
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingEthylparaben
Preservative
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Acer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylparaben
Preservative
Water, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isohexadecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cetearyl Olivate, Xanthan Gum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Phenoxyethanol, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Methylparaben, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Ethylparaben, Propylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract, Tetrasodium EDTA, Acer Saccharum Extract, Butylene Glycol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Potassium Hydroxide, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Propylparaben
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent oils and waters from separating. It can also
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Sorbitan Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may feed that yeast, so it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateEthylparaben is a preservative, is a paraben, and is not reef safe.
Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinMethylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben. It is used to prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and other harmful bacteria. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in both cosmetics and food.
Methylparaben can be synthetically created. It can also be found naturally in some fruits, such as blueberries.
Oftentimes, Methylparaben is combined with other parabens to help increase the shelf life.
The safety of Methylparaben is currently being studied. While ongoing studies are looking into the safety of parabens, the results have been very mixed. Some studies have not found Methylparaben to be harmful.
Learn more about MethylparabenPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben with antifungal and antimicrobial properties.
This ingredient can be naturally found in plants and insects, but most of it is synthetically manufactured for human use. In cosmetics, it is usually created by reacting para-aminobenzoic acid and propanol (an alcohol).
You can usually find this ingredient in water-based products.
Parabens have come under controversy due to the claim they are hormone disruptors. Studies show conflicting results. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Propylparaben is commonly found in food, medicine, and cosmetics.
Learn more about PropylparabenThis ingredient is also called sugarcane extract. It is a moisturizing humectant and has skin soothing properties.
Similar to hyaluronic acid, sugarcane can attract moisture to your skin.
Glycolic acid is a derivative of sugarcane. While glycolic acid is an AHA with exfoliating properties, sugarcane is not an AHA.
A study from 2021 found the compounds in sugarcane extract to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activity. The study also suggests these compounds can inhibit skin ageing enzymes and promote collagen synthesis.
Learn more about Saccharum Officinarum ExtractSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Cetearyl Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may feed that yeast, so it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
